Born in 1901, Hurston grew up inEatonville, Florida, a town with an entirely African American population that was a lasting inspiration for her writings. Hurston's mother was perhaps the most important part of this cultural heritage, since she encouraged her daughter's "large spirit" and protected her from the bad influence of her father. Unfortunately, Hurston's mother died when Hurston was a teenager. Soon after her mother's death, Hurston was sent away to school inJacksonville. She went on to work as a maid for a white family, eventually joined a theatrical troupe, and then attended preparatory school at Morgan Academy inBaltimore.

Hurston continued to work her way throughHoward University, the most famous institution for black scholars in the country, from which she graduated in 1924. By this time, Hurston had begun to write short fiction, and the eminent black writers Alain Locke and Charles Johnson had noticed her. Johnson...